Senator Max Baucus is no radical lefty. Many of us remember him from the health care bill, where his efforts to get Grassley and Snowe delayed so long that the Republicans could get their death panel lies out there and turn opinion agaisnt the bill. He helped kill the public option. Baucus is no liberal. So when he says Ryan's budget is DOA, it's good to hear:
"Independent experts agree the House Plan would make deep cuts to the Medicare benefits seniors count on," Baucus said in a statement. "It would end Medicare as we know it and funnel Medicare dollars directly into private insurance companies' pockets. Under the House plan, seniors' coverage would be cut drastically, benefits would no longer be guaranteed and seniors' costs would skyrocket. We can't allow the House to balance the budget on the backs of seniors and we won't - not on my watch."
TPM: Sen. Baucus Rips Paul Ryan Budget: "Not On My watch."
Romney has now doubled down on the Ryan budget, so this can be the issue of 2012. Let's see if Republicans can turn out scared white seniors while promising to cut (or end) Medicare. Oh, I know they are saying they'll just screw people under 55, but folks don't listen carefully. If Dems do it right, many will know that the Republicans want to take away their medicare. And the Medicaid that pays for many of their nursing homes. Even racism may pale as a motivator to losing one's meds.
However, talking with Republican pollsters, strategists and veteran campaign professionals recently, I now hear sounds of concern that haven’t been heard in almost two years.
Among the worries the party now has is that a government shutdown could get blamed on the GOP. Additionally, these party insiders believe that taking on entitlements, specifically Medicare, could jeopardize the party’s hold on the House, its strong chances of taking the Senate and the stronghold that the party has been established with older white voters—not coincidentally, Medicare recipients.
Charlie Cook: Warning Signs Among the GOP
The Republicans want to take away Head Start, WIC and Medicare.
How can the Christian fundies that provide the shock troops for the Republicans reconcile those evil acts with the words of the founder of their faith?
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Attacking the young, the poor and the elderly is the Ryan way. It's what Republicanism is.
It ain't right; it ain't the American Way; and we all must stand up to it.